Africa-Press – Mozambique. Public institutions in Maputo have started providing assistance by appointment, as recommended by President Nyusi, in order to avoid crowds and limit the spread of Covid-19.
The process has cut the crowds seeking identification documents at the Civil Identification Department on Avenida 24 de Julho in Maputo, for example. Instead of the usual floods of applicants, there were less than 30 in the queue.
Spokesman Alberto Sumbana said the solution used was the distribution of passwords and enlistment of users.
“Passwords distributed have an indication of the time the person will be assisted. After receiving the password, the user must leave our premises and return at the specified time,” he explained.
However, Sumbana acknowledged that the system was not yet fully functional, as some users did not understand the new way of working.
“We also reduced the number of people served. In the districts, we started to serve 30 people a day. The Matola post, which has a high number of customers, now serves 50 people a day, and the Fire Department, where 600 people were received, reduced service to 100,” he explained.
Although servicing up to 30 people was stipulated, some service points do not even receive 10 users, and the spokesperson advised applicants to go to these points to avoid crowding.
The Civil Identification Department foresees, within the next 20 days, the implementation of an electronic system by which applicants can enter their particulars and get an appointment. There will also be scheduling for free calls.
The National Migration Service (SENAMI) was one of the first institutions to implement the system of assistance by appointment, and no one is assisted without making an appointment for the service they want, spokesperson Celestino Matsinhe explained.
Due to the pandemic, this service was also forced to reduce daily services in the city of Maputo. “Before, the target was 350 to 400 users per day, but now the number has dropped to 250 or 300,” Matsinhe explained.
One of the reasons for the reduction in attendance was the reduction in the number of machines and counters to ensure social distancing between workers and users.
At SENAMI, pre-booking can be done virtually or in person, and also covers foreign citizens who want to renew their visas.
Since yesterday, all expired visas are no longer valid, but even so, the demand for services for renewal is very low, leading SENAMI to warn that foreigners in an irregular situation risk being penalised.
By
Julieta Zucula
